Middle Lys Valley

From midday as the precipitation becomes more intense there will be a gradual increase in the avalanche danger to level 4 (high). The backcountry touring conditions are precarious.

From midday as the precipitation becomes more intense there will be a gradual increase in the avalanche danger to level 4 (high). The backcountry touring conditions are precarious.

Saturday: A lot of snow will fall. As the snowfall becomes more intense the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase from midday. The sometimes strong wind will transport the new snow significantly. The new snow of Saturday is bonding poorly with the old snowpack. In particular on steep shady slopes more frequent occasionally large avalanches are to be expected in particular from starting zones at higher altitudes. In the typical avalanche paths in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the dry avalanches can in some cases reach as far as the valley bottom. It is inadvisable to engage in ski touring, freeriding and snowshoe hiking.

40 to 100 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Saturday above approximately 1600 m. Towards its surface, the snowpack is unfavourably layered. The new snow of Saturday is bonding poorly with the old snowpack. In some regions 5 to 10 cm of snow fell on Thursday above approximately 2200 m. Towards its surface, the snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases. Especially steep shady slopes high altitudes and the high Alpine regions: Snow that is very compacted on the surface and stabilised by the stormy winds at the end of February, or composed of faceted crystals and, locally, snow with weak cohesion and surface frost. Weak layers exist in the old snowpack here. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas as well as at high altitude snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.

Over a wide area new snow: The fresh snow as well as the sometimes large wind slabs that are forming over a wide area represent the main danger.